Credit: Images by Imago
Sky Sports pundit and former St Helens player Jon Wilkin has criticised his former side’s performance in last night’s defeat to Warrington Wolves.
They were defeated 24-10, marking their fourth consecutive loss and putting head coach Paul Wellens under renewed pressure.
Wilkin said this was not enough for a trophy-chasing side, saying: “You forget nights like this if you lift the Grand Final.
“Their mission will be to reach the Grand Final, but to do so they need to get a good result in the league and to do that they have to improve their form.
“I said it because I said it about Leeds: it’s not acceptable to lose four games when you play for St Helens. The good thing is that they have eight starting players returning.”
“If you take eight players out of any team in the league, they won’t be up to the task. St Helens weren’t up to the task, but I wasn’t bothered by that tonight. I was bothered that players who should be playing better when they have the ball in their hands were doing so.”
Wilkin identifies Lewis Dodd as a “surprise” for St Helens
Credit: Images by Imago
Lewis Dodd was ruled out of the derby defeat but returned to the side for the game against Warrington.
Wellens had previously suggested this might have sent a message, but Wilkin was unhappy with one particular moment from Dodd last night.
Speaking about Matty Nicholson’s attempt, he said: “The camera didn’t see Lewis Dodd taking an absolute shortcut at the bottom.
“It was a surprise for me. George Williams obviously took advantage of it and got the break.
“That’s the difference between the two teams, the ability to create and take chances. I thought both teams were incredible defensively. I thought, apart from Lewis Dodd’s miss, both teams put in an incredible effort, particularly Sam Burgess’ men.”
